Thursday, October 26, 2006

I think there's a sort of purity about both of them Brian May traded rock 'n' roll for the big bang as he launched a book about the origins of the universe. May, who abandoned doctoral studies in astronomy to play guitar with `70s rock legends Queen, has returned to his first love as a co-author of the book 'Bang! The Complete History of the Universe,' which was launched Monday.

Co-written with Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott, presenters of the British Broadcasting Corp. astronomy program 'The Sky at Night,' the book recounts the formation of the universe from its origins more than 13 billion years ago and looks forward to its end, several billion years from now.

May, 59, whose guitar playing drives 'We Will Rock You,' 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and other hits, sees similarities between his two great loves, music and astronomy.

'I think there's a sort of purity about both of them,' he said recently, according to The Guardian newspaper. 'Because you can immerse yourself in thoughts of the universe, or in music, and you're really abstracted. You're a million miles away from all your worries and personal problems and the dust and smoke of where you are.'

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On the Net:

Brian May: http://www.brianmay.com/

Queen: http://www.queenonline.com/

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Monday, October 23, 2006

The Who win Freddie Mercury award.

The Who's Roger Daltry British rock legends The Who were honoured with The Freddie Mercury Lifetime Achievement prize at the first Vodafone Live Music Awards last night (11.10.06).

Queen bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor presented the inaugural award at the ceremony, held at the newly refurbished Roundhouse in Camden, London - although The Who did not show up to collect the accolade.

Other winners included U2, who were named International Live Act, rockers Muse were crowned Vodafone Live Act and boyband Take That won Best Live Return following their triumphant pop comeback.

When they collected their award, Take That band member Mark Owen told the

crowd: "We hope to see you again soon back on tour, maybe next year."

Indie rock band Razorlight walked away with two honours, however, drummer Andy Burrows had trouble remembering what award he was receiving.

When host Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles handed him the Live Music DVD trophy, Burrows said: "It is an absolute honour... what's this for again?"

The four-piece group - who also received the Vodafone Live Impact in 2006 award - also wowed the audience with a live set featuring their current number one single 'America'.

The evening also included performances from Girls Aloud, Jamiroquai and Dirty Pretty Things.

Moyles, who hosted the event, said: "This is the first ceremony to recognise not just great musical talent but great live performers from across the board."

Vodafone Live Music Awards 2006 full list of winners:

Vodafone Live Act: Muse

International Live Act: U2

Tour of the Year: NME Awards Tour

Vodafone Live Impact in 2006: Razorlight The Freddie Mercury Lifetime Achievement in Live Music: The Who Best Live Return: Take That Best Show